2 The Devil's Interest
A few moments ago...
"Come on, Helli, my best friend! We should celebrate!"
Helliot Edgewing was in no mood to celebrate. He didn't want to indulge himself in barrels of alcohol like the other demons and just get a massive headache the next day.
"No, I have other plans," Helliot said to his fellow devil and his long time self-declared best friend, Jasper Willburn.
"Ehh? You're bailing out on me again?! You're always not doing fun things!" Jasper said.
Helliot sighed. His so-called friendship with this red-haired party-loving devil was one of the greatest mysteries in his life. Helliot liked to have fun too but he bad a different idea of fun. His idea of fun was finding a good book, listening to classical music, and drinking tea. Besides, he did not like the event for this particular party at all. The theme was "Dress Up As A Human" and Helliot utterly disliked humans.
He looked around and saw that several demons were unsuccessful in hiding their true forms anyway. Several still had tails, horns, and long ears. Most of them had no idea what modern humans looked like nowadays. A lot of them were wearing clothes that ranged from the ancient era of kimonos, dresses from the Middle Ages, and gowns from the Victorian Era.
Helliot himself was wearing his usual coat and tie. He was a devil employed in the most prestigious business of all in the demon world - soul contracts.
In the ancient times, devils had a hard time earning a living due to the church but nowadays where money is the religion of most humans, devils were at the peak of their careers. It was supposed to be good but for Helliot, all he saw was that humans had become greedier over time. They were so greedy, some of them were even willing to sell their souls just to get an iPhone13 Pro Max with 128gb of storage! Seriously! How lower could humans even get?
The other devils enjoyed the boost in their wealth from their flourishing careers but Helliot didn't like how the other demons were trying to get close to them just because of their wealth.
"Well, hello there, young man! You look dashing in that suit. Perhaps I can help you . . . out of it?" A woman with melon-like boobs wearing a low cut gown and bright red lips asked.
"No, thank you, Ma'am. I'm perfectly happy in keeping my suit," Helliot said.
He could see Jasper's dismayed face but he chose to ignore it. The woman was obviously a succubus and she did not even bother concealing her demon horns and demon tail. He had nothing against the succubus women but Helliot had no desire to lay with random women just because they wanted him so. He would rather have a conversation with an intelligent demon woman anytime of the day.
Unfortunately, there was a severe shortage of that from the demon women who approached him.
"Tsk, sly man. You're playing hard to get aren't you?" The persistent succubus said.
"No. Perhaps he doesn't want an old hag like you! Maybe he wants someone younger like me! Hello there, Mister Devil. Care to indulge in fresh meat for tonight?" A younger-looking succubus with also a very gaping dress but with a flat chest winked at him.
"You! I saw him first! Get your own devil man!" The melon woman said.
"He doesn't want you, old hag. Maybe he's into lolis instead!" The flat-chested succubus said.
"Wow! They're fighting over you! Dude, you should just totally take them both to your place tonight!" Jasper whispered to Helliot.
Helliot shook his head. He had never taken a woman or anyone else to his place. That was his sanctuary and he would rather die than have it defiled by just some random woman.
"Ladies, I appreciate the attention but I have matters to attend to tonight. I do apologize," Helliot said.
The two women looked at him in disbelief.
"But my friend here is need of your feminine attention if you'll have him instead," Helliot continued.
The women grinned
"Helli! The last time I slept with a succubus, I couldn't get up for three days!" Jasper said in panic to Helliot.
Helliot raised an eyebrow. Yet this devil wanted him to take both of these succubus just a few minutes ago? Jasper must have wanted Helliot to take a few days off so he could get an upper hand in the soul contracts. Tsk. What a friend indeed.
"Enjoy, ladies!"
"Noooooooo!"
Helliot walked away without care as the succubi dragged off Jasper away.
Good riddance.
*
*
*
The noise from the demons partying at the event faded away as Helliot went to a quieter part of the town. The area was still untouched with the modernity of the humans which the demons have taken a liking too and for that, he found himself finally relaxing.
His footsteps echoed as he stepped on the cobble stones. It was so empty. All the demons must be at the event partying like there was no tomorrow.
He looked up at the familiar black lamp post. He's here.
BLACK MOON CAFÉ
He entered his favorite café and the jazz music washed over him.
There. That felt great.
He'd take the jazz music anytime than a wanton succubus who's just out to get his money.
"Good evening, Helliot. Your usual?" The old bartender asked him warmly.
"Yes, please," Helliot replied.
"One Moonlit Lavander Tea coming right up!"
Helliot was about to settle down on his favorite couch at the corner when something caught his attention.
Someone else was here with him in the café.
The young woman had a tower of books beside her and she was busy reading one on her hands.
How curious.
It's been a long time since Helliot had encountered a fellow demon engrossed in reading books. Without him being conscious of his movements, he had moved closer to the young woman to get a closer look.
She had long light brown hair that made him think of honey and syrup. Her hazel brown eyes were focused on whatever she was reading. Then she smiled.
It was such an innocent smile of delight towards the book, Helliot felt a strange tugging at his demon heart.
Who was this woman?
He observed that what she was wearing was a far cry from what the succubi were wearing or what was left of what they were wearing. She was wearing a long sleeved white top under a red jumper dress. On her wrist was a simple bracelet with two beads - two belals. She wasn't a fellow devil then. Devils had so much belals, they had to carry with them a magical suitcase full of their money.
Her beauty and quiet elegance contradicted the usual image of a succubus but Helliot could not think of any other demon who would have such feminine allure. Strange. Why had he never met her before?
If he had then he would have . . .
"You must be a succubus."
The words slipped out before he realized he had said them.
